Hamilton hits the ground during Jerez Superbike test!

Lewis Hamilton swapped his fireproof overalls for a pair of motorcycle leathers yesterday in Jerez, and the Mercedes driver apparently suffered a small crash.

According to Italy's Gazetta dello Sport, Hamilton was at the Spanish track to test a Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike belonging to the works-backed Crescent team.

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Hamilton enjoyed a series of uneventful laps on the black bike emblazoned with his trademark number "44", but scrapped the tarmac at one point at Jerez's fast Turn 5 bend, fortunately with only minor damage to his bike rather than to himself.

A big bike devotee and avid rider, Hamilton took a spin earlier this year in California along with friend and British MotoGP rider Cal Crutchlow, indulging in a bit of knee-scrapping with a Kawasaki ZX-10R.

Hamilton also enjoys an endorsement and collaboration deal with Italian manufacturer MV Agusta, having helped design several of its models including the F4 L44.

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